I gave away my old IBC system to a community project because we are moving home and the new place doesn't have much of a garden. I though I would be fine but it turns out that I just can't live without a working aquaponics system!

With that in mind, I've started on a small design that I will be able to take with me when I leave this house (about 6 weeks time) and will also fit in at the new house.

Here is the rough concept...

It's 1 x 100L FT at the bottom with 2 x 50L GB above. The whole lot will be put on large caster wheels so it can be easily moved around.

The GB will be filled with expanded clay balls to keep the weight down. Not sure how well the cheep Ikea shelf unit will work but it's worth a try!

I'm trying to work out the best way to plum the system. I'm thinking of going for a simple standpipe with a small drain hole in the bottom and a timed pump cycle. Pump water into the top bed and let it overflow down to the lower bed.

It looks like you might need to add some more expanded clay balls. They shouldnt be floating like that. Or you could drop your water level down. You want the water level about 1" below the top of the clay balls when there is no water in there, or not floating at all.

How much water do you have in your fish tank when the grow beds fill up with water?

It looks like you might need to add some more expanded clay balls. They shouldnt be floating like that. Or you could drop your water level down. You want the water level about 1" below the top of the clay balls when there is no water in there, or not floating at all.

I'll try a shorter standpipe and see what happens.

rsevs3 wrote:

How much water do you have in your fish tank when the grow beds fill up with water?

That is tidy! I have been thinking about starting an indoor nursery system and your system looks perfect for that! Though, if I was to use a bilge pump, I would skip the Rule, and use Johnson Pumps. I see far fewer issues with them.

Ahh, I see. Your system looks cycled because you have water from a cycled system in it. It is not yet cycled becuse your bacteria have yet to colonize. It may take slightly less time for your system to stabilize because you seeded it with pond water, but the bacteria still needs time to move in. I cycled with fish. Some do, some don't. I only did because I had the opportunity to get the fish for free. Otherwise, I probably would have cycled fishless as I would have had more control. I also cycled with a lot more fish than one should. Again, I got the fish for free so it was what it was. It would be fine to throw some fish in, but keep the feed light at first.

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